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All is ready for Israel Folau's code of conduct hearing on Saturday... just don't expect a quick outcome
The Australian Rugby Union have confirmed details for Israel Folau’s code of conduct hearing, revealing that the closed hearing proceedings will get underway on Saturday at 9.30am AEST at the Rugby Australia Building in Sydney.
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A panel consisting of John West QC (chair), Kate Eastman SC, and John Boultbee AM will preside over the hearing that could proved lengthy as Sunday has been reserved as a second day if required.
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle, NSW Rugby Union CEO Andrew Hore, and RUPA chief executive Prataal Raj will attend the hearing in person along with legal representatives from the parties.
The panel will consider submissions and evidence from both parties at the hearing, but is not expected to deliver a decision on the weekend.
The three-person independent panel will head arguments regarding whether or not Folau should be sacked by Rugby Australia for a social media post last month that said homosexuals were destined for hell, unless they repent their sins.
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Folau is required to attend the hearing and it is believed that this is his intention. However, there remains the possibility that the 30-year-old might change his mind and not attend in person.
Folau, who signed a four-year contract extension in February and was expected to play a huge part for Australia at the World Cup finals in Japan, had promised Castle that there would be no repeat of a damaging Instagram comment in 2018 that said god’s plan for gays was: “HELL”.
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The Rugby Australia integrity unit deemed following Folau’s comments last month that he had committed a high-level breach of the professional players’ code of conduct that warranted termination of his employment contract.
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Castle said at the time: “At its core, this is an issue of the responsibilities an employee owes to their employer and the commitments they make to their employer to abide by their employer’s policies and procedures and adhere to their employer’s values.
“Following the events of last year, Israel was warned formally and repeatedly about the expectations of him as player for the Wallabies and NSW Waratahs with regards to social media use and he has failed to meet those obligations.
A date has been set for Israel Folau's Code of Conduct hearing.https://t.co/S22RyLR9mS
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) April 22, 2019
“It was made clear to him that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.
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“All professional Rugby players in Australia are bound by the Code of Conduct and there is a process in place for any disciplinary matter. We appreciate that this particular matter will attract significant interest, but due process must be followed.”
